MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Elijah Wiegand, 42nd Air Base Wing Judge Advocate training and readiness non-commissioned officer in charge, was recognized as January’s Crusader of the Month for his arduous dedication and commitment to duty here.
The wing’s Crusader of the Month Award highlights outstanding members who contribute significant effort toward Team Maxwell’s mission, vision and priorities.
“It’s an honor to be given recognition for the hard work we do, not just myself, but the office as a whole,” said Wiegand. “I never do anything for the recognition, so to be recognized I felt appreciated.”
Wanting to be a pilot like his father, who was a pilot in the civilian world, Wiegand fulfilled his childhood dream of joining the Air Force as a multi-role, remotely piloted aircraft system (MQ-9 Reaper) sensor operator in 2013. Wiegand later retrained into the paralegal career field.
Wiegand is primarily responsible for ensuring all attorneys, paralegals, civilians are fully trained and prepared to support the wing and its 51 mission partners.
As the focal point for the paralegal upgrade training, Wiegand provides civil, general law management and military justice processing oversight. He also assists with military justice as needed and conducts and oversees upgrade training.
“I’m still learning, but it is fun and interesting,” he said. “It’s something I didn’t think I would do, it’s definitely unique and I enjoy it.”
Being the only seven-level, Wiegand’s expertise was crucial in leading the military justice section trial preparation for a motion hearing against an individual with nine sexual assault charges, maximizing 100% of the Air University $109,200 expert witness budget and stewarding logistics for 12 trial attorneys, securing Air Education and Training Command Team of the quarter.
Wiegand guided four paralegals through the new competency based training program, completing 116 specific tasks and 30 core task objectives, and enrolled his team into the new on-line Career Development Course program, ensuring continued progress.
“As the only seven-level, he does all of the training for me and other Airmen in the office,” said Staff Sgt. Raychel Blanchette, 42nd ABW/JA non-commissioned officer in charge of Military Justice. “He’s very patient, kind, positive, levelheaded and a hard worker.”
Wiegand’s peers described him as invaluable to the Judge Advocate Staff Article 6 Inspection by assembling more than 100 items of report, analysis, delegation letters and records, as well as providing expert review for the junior paralegals and attorneys.
The Judge Advocate Staff Article 6 Inspection is a periodic evaluation conducted by the Judge Advocate General or senior members of their staff to assess the effectiveness of a military legal office, ensuring they are properly administering justice according to Article 6 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
“My advice to Airmen is to give their best even, if is not the career they dreamed,” said Wiegand. “Move with a purpose, move with intentions, and if you want to switch jobs or retrain, pursue it. Don’t become stagnant, pursue what you want to pursue.”
The Crusader the Month carries deep historical significance within the 42nd ABW. During their deployment on the Free French Island of New Caledonia, in 1943, the Airmen of the 42nd Bomb Group were honored with the nickname “Crusaders” by their French allies, proudly adopting the Cross of Lorraine symbol on their B-25 Bombers. This legacy continues through the 42nd ABW.